Fttenace



' Jan. 8, 1929.

G. A. KOHOUT FURNACE Filed July 19, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Uan. 8, I929,

G; A. KOHQUT FURNAC E Filed July 19, 1926 s Shets-Shet 5 Tum-m Patented Jan. 8, 1929.

- UNITED STATES GEORGE KOHOU'I, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FURNACE.

Application filed July 19, 1926., Serial No. 123,381.

My invention relates to furnaces together with a method of operating such furnaces, and has for its object the provision of a new method which is adapted to bring about the efficient combustion of fuel such as for instance coal, but which consists of particles having different sizes. a

.My invention also concerns itself with the provision of means, which mayv be operated in accordance with my improved method.

The prime object of the invention is the provision of an arrangement whereby certain of the combustible elements of the fuel are acted upon while in suspension and caused to be maintained in this condition and violently agitated, prior to, during and after ignition, the heavier portions of the fuel being properly distributed over the grate and the gases emanating from the burning of this last mentioned fuel to be also violently agitated and mixed with the moving, ignited, suspended combustible material to further assist in spreading and flame propagation to thereby result in the complete consumption of all the combustible elements of the fuel, the elimination of smoke and the obtaining of the maximum heat from a given quantity of fuel.

My present invention concerns itself when applied to the burning of coal more particularly with the combustion of such coal in mixed sizes, that is, from fine powder to approximately nut size. In accordance with my invention, therefore, I may use what are in general referred to as standard screenings, which is the cheapest form of coal and which contains approximately fifty (50) per cent of fines with about fifty (50) per cent of nut and pea coal and intermediate sizes.

.The general plan of operation is to have the fines burned more or less completely in suspension and to spread the larger coal over the entire grate-area more or less in accordancewith the weight of the particles. that is,

the larger sizes fall near the front of thegrate and the size of the particles gradually decreases toward the rear of-the grate. In this way the fuel bed remains porous as the fuel bed itself is composed of large particles of a more or less regular shape so that the combustion rate is increased due to this lowering of the fuel bed resistance to the income ing air. This permits the use of a smaller combustion chamber than would be required where pulverized coal exclusively is to be burned.

The invention contemplates means whereby the coal is caused to pass a suitable fluid blast which may be either an'air blast or a smaller particles thereof to be held in suspension, agitated and ignited while in suspension, and the larger portions to be distributed over the grate. This eliminates the large fuel bed resistance in the coking pile where the coking process is more largely used than with my improved device. The coal is in reality zoned and placed where it will be most readily consumed, depending upon its size. The invention also contemplates a structure having the above qualifications and its combination with a coking shelf, and also the provision of a structurein which the shelf or abutment uponwhich the coal is supported prior to its introduction to the fire box of the furnace, is maintained in a relatively cool condition so that coking at this point will be prevented. p

My improved furnace can, of course, be operated in many different ways and is not limited to the use of the method of operation which I have elaborated.

The drawings illustrate various forms of which the invention is susceptible, it being therefore obvious that various other combinations of elements and arrangements may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as definedin the appended claims forming a part hereof.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a furnace constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

' Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view similar to Fig. 1, showing a part of the structure lllus- 'trated in Fig. 1 combined with an auxiliary fluid inlet and means for regulating the amount of air which enters the furnace through the fluid passage shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. '4 is a plan view similar to Fig. 2, showing a blower connected with the fluid passages for introducing air under pressure to the fire box of the furnace;

Fig, 5 is a sectional plan view similar to Fig. 2, showing the use of steam jets for the purpose of distributing the fuel and agitating a portion thereof and the combustible gases of the ignited fuel;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to .Fig. pushers 30, all depending upon the size and 55 2, showing an' arrangement employing suit;

the period of operationof the fluid inlets;

Fig. 8 is a detail elevation of an air regulator shown in Fig. 3'

7 Fig. 9 discloses a hopper located above the furnace and a blast opening and fuel feed opening arranged relatively to each other 1 to accomplish the desired result;

' Figs. 10 and 11 show structures whereby he smaller particles of the fuel are directed toward the upper part of the combustion chamber and the larger parts distributed over the ate. a

T 1e structure withwhich the various forms of the invention are applicable includes a furnace comprising a combustion chamber 10 surmounted by the boiler 11 and circumscribed by the rear walls 12, the grate 13 and a any other variety. The grate consists in provided as heretofore and these are oper-- able through the agency of the dumping bar 21. The ash pit is shown at 22 and the floor level at 23. In the front of the furnace I provide a'reverberatory section 24 made of fire brick below which there is a fuel inlet opening 25 at the lower portion of which is placed a fuel resting shelf 26 forming part of the front wall and which preferably extends down to the floor line, there being an opening.

27 in this front wall closed ,by a door 28, through which 'refuse may be introduced for burning or for access to'the interior of the combustion chamber for other purposes. A

fuel hopper 29' is provided into which the fuel isfed and from which it progresses toward and into the combustion chamber. I

' provide pushers 30 which periodically adcally or manually operated in any. suitable d manner, as by the hand lever 31. As is read- 6 vance the-fuel and which may during the period of their movement entirely close the opening between the fuel hopper. and the fuelrestin'g shelf. These pushers are automatiily apparent, of course, there may be a pluralit of levers 16, depending upon the width oft e furnace so that the grate may be divided into sections; there may be a plurality of doors 28 and there may be a plurality of Fig. 7 illustrates a means for controlling,

both width of the furnace. air and steam to accomplish the desired re- In accordance with one form of-my invention, as shown in Fig.1, I provide a duct 32 below the fuel resting plate. This ductcon- .nects with a suitable source of supply typified by the chamber 33 through which dhctan air blast, a steam blast, or a combination of of both, or any other constant orintermittent desirable blast may be introduced into the furnace. There may, of course, be any numbei of such ducts 32 arranged throughout the width of the shelf 26 so as to carry out the principle and method ofmy invention.

'As before stated,'the object of the invention is capable of being obtained through the use of a fluid such as either air or steam, or y a combination of both. The structure just described contemplates the utilization of air heated by the heat of the side walls and introduced to the fire box through the chamber 33, and the ducts 32. The chamber 33 is as shown, connected with one or more air pasv sages 36 respectively provided in the side walls of the furnace which passages communicate with the atmosphere, 'and due to the relative difference of pressure at one end of the passage over that pressure at the opposite end, the portions of the fuel as they pass I across the (passage are causedto be separated,

distribute and agitated in the manner referred to.

It is manifest that a blower 37 (Fig. 4) may be connected-with said passages 36 and that also said passages may be controlled through the medium of damper regulators 38-38, provided in each passage.

The fuel which maybe burned in a furnace ofthis kind and which gives very good results is coal which is commercially denominated as screenings. This consists of coal of various sizes from coal dust. to egg and nut size-together with all of the intermediate sizes. According to my improved method, the mechanism automatically zones this fuel so that it is deposited atdifle rent points within the combustion chamber depending upon its size. I have shown a fuel bed 34 upon the grate and as will be noted the fuel bed is thicker at the frontof the furnace and thinner to therear. The larger lumps of coal fall toward the front of the furnace immediately below the fuel resting shelf and from there on the coal becomes smaller toward the rear of the grate. During the course of the combustion, the coal maybe advanced upon the grate if desired less horizontal direction into the zone in the intense combustion above the fuel bed where it is consumed in a manner to give maximum effieiency. In this manner the coal is graded int agitated and caused, due toits a ita'tion. to m x with the gases emanating rom other fuel mthe combustion chamber. The largervparticles are deposited in the thicker mass and may travel throughout the full length of the grate during the period. The smaller particles rearwardly are given less time to complete the combustion.

VVhenan arrangen'lent employing both air and steam as the medium for distributing the fuel in the manner described, is utilized, the

ipe connections such as 52 in Fig. 3, conveniently provide a means whereby to support a regulator to regulate the amount of air passing through the air passage 53. The means shown consists of a plate 49 which is rotatably adjustable along each ofthepipe sectionsby means of the threaded connection between the pipe and said plate to thereby when rotated vary the distance between the adjacent extremity of the air passage and the plate, and regulate the quantity of air entering said air passage. This plate is further provided with a plurality of apertures 50 whereby a certain amount of air will at all times be permitted to enter the passage even though the plate is arranged to close the passage.

An alternative construction which may be resorted to, to accomplish the desired end, i shown in Fig. 5, in which steam only .is utivlized to distribute the fuel and accomplish the fire box of the furnace and may be arrangedbelow the fuel support 26 illustrated in Fig; 1. It is manifest that an arrangement such as illustrated in-Fig. 6 may also be employed. In the last named arrangement the fuel is caused to be distributed in the hereinbefore described manner by means which employs the combination of both air and steam, and may when found desirable, introduce steam under pressure to the fire box by means of the pipe extensions 52, the air being drawn through the open'ends of the openings 53' by virtue of the reduced pressure existing at that end of the opening 53' adjacent the fire box and pipe connection 52 having the nozzle 54. It is ot course understood that the pipe sections 521 are connected to a source of v steam supply such as the pipe indicated at 55.

of the fluids may be obtained so that the fluid is intermittently fed to the furnace. This means includes a cam carried by the shaft whereby-' the pushers 30 are operated. This cam has a part which engages the valve arm of the fluid.

Fig. 10 the fluid passage is arranged in an- 66. which is held against the cam by means of a spring 67. The cam face is such that the valve will be automatically and quickly opened durin the period of operation of the pushers and eld open asuitable time and then quickly closed.

,In Fig. 9 the arrangement included a fuel hopper and fuel feed 81. an opening 82 arranged in theupper wall of the furnace, an

air passage 83 and steam passage 84 locate-.1 relatively to each other so that as the fuel is fed through the opening 82 it drops in front of the passages 83 and 84 and is spread in the manner described andv causes the finer particles-of the fuel'to be retained in suspension during combustion.

Figs. 10 and 11 both disclose a construction in which the fluid acts upon the smaller particles of the fuel to direct them-towards the upper part of the combustion chamber, cause them to be held in suspension, and whirled while in suspension.

To accomplish this end the fluid passage may be either provided with means 'or the passage may be arranged so that the fluid will be directed'in a manner to result in this action In the structure disclosed in air passage 71'and an end of the fluid passage 70 is formed to provide a jet having the plate or extension 72 which is inclined u wardly and acts as a spreader for the fluid as 1t strikes the plate. The plate causes the fluid to be directed upwardly, forwardly and sidewise, and consequently causes the finer particles of fluid to be distributed in a corresponding manner.

The structure illustrated in Fig. 11. one termination of the air passage 73 is inclined upwardly and the adjacent end of the fluid passage 74 is inclined in the same manner and therefore this arrangement will act upon the grates will result.

It is manifest that in all of the structures disclosed the blast is so arranged that the entire grate is properly covered so that there is no infiltration of air over uncovered grate sections. Such infiltration of air reduces the efficiency v'erymaterially.

From What I have thus described, the na-' ture of my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and .it will also be readily apparent that many other modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having, however, thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

' 1. The herein described method of combus and tion which-consists inproviding a source of fuel supply having coal of varymgsizes, de-

' livering the coal into a combustion chamber, 7

subjecting the delivered coal to a blast there by separating and distributing said coal,

blowing the more finely divided particles into the combustion zone where they are burned in suspension and supporting and. burning the remainder of the coal' in the lower portion of saidchamber.

2. The herein described method of combustion-which consists in providing a source offuel supply having coal'of varying sizes, deliverlng said coal into a combust on chamber above the bottom thereof so that, it will fall freely within-said chamber, subjecting the delivered coal while falling to a blast thereby separating and distributing said coal according to size, blowing the more finely'divided particles into the combustion zone where they are burned in suspension and supporting and burning the remainder of the coal in the lower portion of said chamber.

' 3. A furnace of the character described comprising a combustion chamber, a stoker grate, a fuel inlet near the forwardend of said grate, and-a fluid jet above the grate and i in close roximity tosaid fuel-inlet adapted sole means to distri ute the fuel .over saidgra'te in accordance with its size said fluid jet beinglthe for separating and distributing thefueh 4. A. furnace .of

the character described comprising 'a combustion'chamber, a stoker a fuel inlet near the forward end of and a fluid jet above the grate and to said fuel inlet directed grate, said grate, .in close proximity across the path of the fuel from the inlet to the grate to distribute the fuel over said grate in accordance with its sizeand to retain the smaller-particles of said'fuel in suspension-in the combustion zoner -5; A furnace of the character. described comprising'fa combustion chamber, a stoker grate, a fuel inlet near the forward end of said grate, said fuel inlet terminating at a shelf, means for gradually advancing said fuel 'throu h, said-inlet so thatit falls over the edgeo said shelf, and .afluid jet above the grate and'in close proximi v inlet directed at substantially right angles to the path of the fuel to distribute the fuel over said grate'in accordance with its size. I

- comprising 6. Afurnace 'of the'cha'racter described a co bustion chamber, a stoker grate, adapted to feed material supported thereby toward the rear of the furnace, means I 'for actuatin said grate, a fuel inlet near the forward en of. said grate, said fuel inlet that it falls over the edge of saidshelf, and a" ate and in close proximit to said :fuel in et adapted to distribute v the eel over said grate in accordance with its terminating at a shelf, means for dually advancin said fuel through inlet so above the comprising a said grate,

to said fuel tainthe size and to retain thesmaller articles of said fuel in suspension in the com ustion zone 7 A furnace of the character described adapted to burn fuelconsisting of particles of unlike dimensions,compr1s1ng a combustion chamber, a stoker ate, a fuel inlet near the forward end of sald grate, said fuel inlet terminating at a shelf, means for gradually advancing said fuel through said inlet J so that it falls over'the edge of said shelf,

and a fluid jet above the grate and beneath said shelf adapted to separate the fuel while falling; and distribute the fuel over said grate in accordance with its-size.

8. A furnace of the character described,

adapted to burn fuel consisting of particles of unlike dimensions comprising a combustion chamber, a stoker grate, a fuel inlet near the forward end of said grate, said fuel inlet terminating at ashelf, means for gradually advancing said fuel through said inlet so hat it falls over the edge of said shelf,.- and a fluid jet above the grate and I beneath said shelf adapted to separate the fuel while falling and distribute the fuel 3 over saidgrate in accordance with its size.

and to retain the smallerparticles of said fuel in suspensionlin the combustion zone.

9. A furnace of the character described comprising a combustion chamber,-a stoker 'grate, a fuelmlet near the forward end of a said grate, said fuel inlet terminating at a" shelf, means for radually advancing the fuel: through said mlet so thatv it fallsover the edge of said; shelf, a fluid jet above the grate and in close proximity to said fuel inlet adapted to dlstribute the fuel over said grate in accordance with its size, means at one extremity of the grate for dumpin the ash, and means for operating said grate 'to advance the fuel toward the rear end thereof lOzfA furnace of, the character described pension in thecombustion zone, means at oneextremity of the grate for dumping the ash, h

and means for operating said grate to advance the fuel toward the rearend thereof.

11; A; furnace .of the character described adapted to burn fuel consisting of particles of unlike dimensions, comprising a combus; 1:

tion chamber, a stoker grate, a fuel inlet near the forward end of said. grate, said fuel inlet terminating at a shelf, means for gradugllxlay advancing the fuelthrou'gh said inlet so combustion chamber,- a stoker inlet near the forward end of 11 .close proximity to said fuel 1 it falls over the edge of said shelf, a 1;

, fluid jet above the grate and in close proximity to said fuel inlet adapted to distribute the fuel over said grate in accordance with is size, means at one extremity of the grate for dumping the ash, and means for operating said grate to advance the fuel toward the rear end thereof.

12. A furnace of the character described adapted to burn fuel consisting of particles of unlike dimensions comprising a combustion chamber, a stoker grate, a fuel inlet near the forward end of said grate, said fuel inlet terminating at a shelf, means for gradually advancing the fuel through said inlet so that it falls over the edge of saidshelf, a fluid jet above the grate and in close proximity to said fuel inlet adapted to distribute the fuel over said grate in accordance with its size and to retain the smaller particles of said fuel in suspension in the combustion zone, means at one extremity of the grate for dumping the ash, and means for operating said grate to advance the fuel toward the rear end thereof. a

13. In a furnace of the character described, a. combustion chamber, a stoking grate, a

fuel inlet, a fluid inlet passage arranged with respect to the fuel inlet to cause the fuel to fall into the path of the fluid after its discharge from the fuel inlet to thereby distribute the fuel over the grate and maintain a portion of the fuel in suspension and means for actuating said grate to move the material thereon away from the fuel inlet.

14. The herein described method of combustion which consists in providing a source of'fuel supply having coal of Varying sizes, dropping the severalsizes of coal into a combustion chamber together, subjecting the coal while falling within the chamber to a fluid blast thereby separating the coarser from the finer particles of coal and distributing them according to size throughout the chamber burning the more finely divided particles in suspension, burning the remainder of the coal in the lower portion of the chamber and moving it away from the point of entry while burning.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of July A. D., 1926.

GEORGE A. KOHOUT. 

